UriguayCoach: Oscar Washington TabarezStar man: Edinson CavaniTournament best: Winners 1930, 1950The Copa America holders struggled to qualify, needing a play-off against Jordan to book their place after narrowly missing out on the top four of the South American qualifying section. With players like Cavani and Luis Suarez, though, they have more than enough ability to cause problems. Won the World Cup the last time it was held in Brazil, back in 1950.

Coasta RicaCoach: Jorge Luis PintoStar man: Bryan RuizTournament best: Last 16 1990Seized upon Mexico's struggles to follow the United States as the pacesetters in the CONCACAF section, but going any further than the group stage will be a lot to ask.

EnglandCoach: Roy HodgsonStar man: Wayne RooneyTournament best: Winners 1966England are still looking for the magic formula which will get them past the quarter-final hurdle for only the second time since they lifted the trophy on home soil. Despite concerns raised about the quality of the current squad, they topped their group without losing a game and were among the top four highest scorers in the European qualifying zone.

ItalyCoach: Cesare PrandelliStar man: Mario BalotelliTournament best: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006Prandelli's team performed well in reaching the euro 2012 final and would love nothing more than to equal Brazil's record of five World Cup successes on Brazilian soil.

Group GGermanyPortugalGhanaUSA

GermanyCoach: Joachim LowStar man: Mesut ÖzilTournament best: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990 (all as West Germany)Arguably Europe's best hope of bringing the trophy back from South America. Low's side is littered with players steeped in top-level experience and this may be the time for Mesut Özil, Thomas Muller, Schweinsteiger et al to make the final step at international level.

PortugalCoach: Paulo BentoStar man: Cristiano RonaldoTournament best: Third 1966In Ronaldo Portugal possess a player worthy of gracing the game's biggest stage but therein lies their problem as they rely so heavily on the Real Madrid forward's unquestionable star quality. Frequently unstoppable but when the world's best defenders can isolate him he has few team-mates who can make the difference.

GhanaCoach: James Kwesi AppiahStar man: Asamoah GyanTournament best: Quarter-finals 2010Ghana have often been the standard-bearers for African football and their controversial heartbreaking last-eight exit on their home continent at the last World Cup prevented them making history. Captain Gyan provided most of the goals in qualifying but midfielder Michael Essien, despite his injury problems, remains a pivotal player while the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew provide considerable experience.

United StatesCoach: Jurgen KlinsmannStar man: Clint DempseyTournament best: Third 1930Klinsmann struggled initially to make his mark but his team ultimately qualified with comparative comfort. Reaching the quarter-finals looks like a realistic goal.

Both Have Shockingly bad groups WILL WITH BOTH GET OUT OF THE GROUP STAGE?